Outdoor Summer Concerts...and CASAA

[TennDave]

Just got back from the Bonnaroo Music Festival (last Thursday-Sunday) in Manchester, TN. This was my second year of no-smoking and vaping and I saw some vapers there- mostly workers but some festival goers too. Many were "curious" as to what I was doing with my Reo mods (I took 4 different ones). What's amazed me is all the vendors selling all their goods but no vaping vendor. After last year, I thought there would at least be one there. I also saw most folks seems to smoke cigs at these events. I mean most!!

There are tons of big festivals all summer long- all over the U.S. At Bonnaroo, BT was represented by American Spirits- they had a "smoking lounge," that one could go into and smoke their brand cigs and coupons given out to "purchase" packs once they left the festival. I talked to several BT exects there- some from A.S. and others who were "in the business," and worked for RJR and PM. They were impressed that I enjoyed my vaping as much as I do... we talked about good devices, bad...the juice and flavoring- FDA regs and how crazy they were, etc....and also Lorillard buying Blu, etc. Anyway, these guys were very knowledgeable and although they couldn't say much "on the record," their personal opinions endorsed vaping really needing to come into the mainstream with little to no restrictions...and they claimed that all their companies were working on less harmful nicotine delivery products. The opinion was that people who wanted to enjoy nicotine should be able to do so- less harmful the better. They seemed interested in the fact that I was very positive about my switch and was enjoying vaping so much!!

So, my thoughts went to CASAA... I know everyone is ultra busy and funds are not where they ought to be, despite us who donate, etc. But it would seem right (IMHO) if CASAA had a booth at such festivals like Bonnaroo...or other festivals across the country. I met people there from California, Alaska, Michigan, Florida....really everywhere. Any of these festivals would have a huge number of people who could be educated and possibly switch from smoking. Just a thought but I would be more than happy to go to Bonnaroo next year and man or help man such a booth and pass out literature. I'm thinking a non-profit organization interested in the health of smokers would be a booth that would not cost much- in fact, I know the concert promoter of Bonnaroo- he might even let us have a booth for free on-site.

Wondering about your thoughts on this- there were probably close to 100,000 people at Bonnaroo this year.

 

[sanjosse]

TennDave,

Here in CA, there seems to a music festival every weekend. Here's a small list I copied from musicfestivaljunkies.com;

The Bounce Festival 2012 - Belden, CAJune 15th, 2012
Make Music Pasadena 2012 - Pasadena, CAJune 16th, 2012
Sierra Nevada World Music Festival 2012 - Boonville, CAJune 22nd, 2012
High Sierra Music Festival 2012 - Quincy, CAJuly 5th, 2012
Wanderlust California 2012 - North Lake Tahoe, CAJuly 26th, 2012
Hard Summer 2012 - Los Angeles, CAAugust 3rd, 2012
Woodist Festival 2012 - Big Sur, CAAugust 4th, 2012
Outside Lands 2012 - San Francisco, CAAugust 10th, 2012
Sunstrip Music Festival 2012 - West Hollywood, CAAugust 16th, 2012
Rock The Bells 2012 - USA TourAugust 18th, 2012
Strawberry Music Festival 2012 - Camp Mather, CAAugust 30th, 2012
Culture Collide 2012 - Los Angeles, CAOctober 4th, 2012
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2012 - San Francisco, CAOctober 5th, 2012
Treasure Island 2012 - San Francisco, CAOctober 13th, 2012

Not to mention the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Annual Festival, and the Burning Man event

Here's a website that has ALL the festivals to happen in CA.

I agree, I think CASAA should select a few of the larger ones and set up shop.

I'd be willing to go the "Burning Man festival". Or maybe we could start our own, and call it the VAPING MAN!

 

[TennDave]

I like the way you think!

My only concern is that CASAA is already stretched thin and probably doing all they really possibly can be doing, so it's an imposition to telling them they need to get on board with these concerts. I know that something can be worked out but it's going to be up to folks like you and I to get involved!!!

Maybe we need an "outdoor events" section or arm of CASAA and can get something like this going.
Since I work for a school system, I'm off a great deal during the summer- this would be a nice way to spend that time and help the community out as well...

Really want to hear what those working on the board of CASAA have to say about these ideas!!

 

[sanjosse]

Thanks!

I like the way you think too, especially the "outdoor events section" idea. I wish I got the summers off… or retired, then I could devote more time to a cause that I TRULY believe in. Like I've offered Kristin before, being a graphic designer for over 25 yrs, I would be honored to help with any graphics, document design, logos, etc., that would be needed to help educate the general public at these events.

 

[TennDave]

Let's wait and see what CASAA says. If they don't read and respond, then I'll PM Elaine and/or Kristin soon.

 

[laurel099]

CASAA board is stretched thin for sure but I think you should email your idea to the board for them to discuss during their next meeting. If some volunteers helped get it going, would be a nice idea to spread the knowledge

Email: board@casaa.org

 

[TennDave]

Thanks Laurel for that email info- I have emailed them to come and look at this thread as well as to solicit opinions/advice in my email.
-Dave

 

[kristin]

I'll try to remember to bring it up next week. Since the board is scattered all over the country, I think it would work best if members got together and attended events such as these in their own area. The board could send them supplies possibly, but CASAA doesn't really have the funds to be flying directors to music events across the country.

 

[Thulium]

I have connections with the founders and organizers of "The Extreme Tour" (Here's this year's schedule: The Extreme Tour - Official Site ). It would be no problem to send a pile of informational flyers, etc. to be handed out, or, if a vendor wanted to support someone, I can pretty much guarantee that you would have no trouble finding a "starving artist" (or 50!) who would be willing to add e-cigs to their merch table to make a little bit of gas money while promoting tobacco harm reduction.

What has kept us from already doing this is the fact that CASAA does not promote or endorse any particular brands or products, so it really needs to be one or more vendors who steps up to the plate. CASAA can provide the information, but you still kinda need somebody selling an actual product, which CASAA does not do.

 

[TennDave]

I hear you both and thanks for responding to this thread!!
To me, this could be very exciting!!! Only problem at Bonnaroo was that I saw no vaping vendors at all.
I'm thinking it's the same way at many of these festivals. A tiny corner of even an artist table would be fine. Passing out fliers is an awesome idea!! I'd be willing to contact the promoter in our area and get to work with this- at some point, something official from CASAA might be needed- especially if the event would let us have a "free" table/booth!.

I saw a glass blower at Bonnaroo whose wife used an Ego and sold their goods while he worked. I think I got her card. If they are game, they might allow a spot under their tent for instance.